Effects of storage conditions on the post-harvest physiological characteristics of Shadi glossy Chinese chestnut

In order to provide basic theory for the optimal storage conditions and methods for Shadi glossy Chinese chestnut, the post-harvest physiology characteristics was probed. Through controlling the temperature and humidity of storage and germination, the respiration rate, α-amylase activity, β-amylase activity, dehydration rate, sprouting rate were determined. The results show that the respiration rate decreases at first, and then rises. There is the lowest value after storage for two months. The tendency of α-amylase activity change is similar to that of the respiration rate, but it rises half a month later than that of the respiration rate. Both the respiration rate and the α-amylase activity of sprouting Shadi glossy Chinese chestnut are higher than those of the chestnut in dormancy. The changes of the respiration rate and the α-amylase activity can indicate the dormancy state. The low temperature can inhibit the respiration rate, dehydration rate, and sprouting rate. Q₁₀ is less than 2.0 when the temperature is lower than 10℃, and Q₁₀ is 1.5～2.5 when the temperature is over 10℃. Shadi glossy Chinese chestnut has about two-month natural dormancy period and two-month forced dormancy period at 3℃. Both the dehydration rate and the sprouting rate are greatly affected by relative humidity.